Roundabouts & Shark Teeth (Haaietanden)
Roundabouts (Rotondes) & Sign D1
A Dutch roundabout marked with Sign D1 (round blue sign with white arrows forming a circle) has specific priority conventions:
- Entering the Roundabout: Almost all Dutch roundabouts feature shark teeth (haaietanden) and Sign B6 at the entrance. Vehicles on the roundabout have priority over approaching vehicles.
- Indicating Direction:
- Taking 1st exit (turning right): Indicate right when approaching.
- Taking 2nd exit (straight ahead): Do NOT indicate on entry; indicate right immediately after passing exit 1.
- Taking 3rd exit (turning left/around): Indicate left on entry and while circulating; indicate right immediately after passing exit 2.
- Cyclists at Roundabouts:
- Binnen de bebouwde kom (Inside built-up areas): Cycle tracks surrounding roundabouts typically give priority to cyclists. Exiting cars must yield to cyclists.
- Buiten de bebouwde kom (Outside built-up areas): Cyclists typically face shark teeth and must yield to exiting and entering cars. Always look for physical road markings!
Essential Statutory Rules (RVV 1990)
- Shark teeth apply exclusively to DRIVERS, not crossing pedestrians, unless a zebra crossing is present.
- Indicate right when leaving a roundabout; do not indicate when entering or continuing on the circle.
- Inside built-up areas: exiting vehicles usually yield to circulating cyclists on separate cycle tracks. Outside built-up areas: cyclists usually face shark teeth.
Indicate right only after passing the exit prior to your intended exit. Do NOT indicate left when entering a standard single-lane roundabout.
Check Your Understanding (4Questions)
Immediate CBR validation with instant answers and statutory RVV 1990 legal context. Scores persist in your module dashboard.
At an equal, unmarked crossroads, a horse rider approaches from your right. Who has priority?
You approach a road narrowing displaying sign F6 (round red-bordered sign with red upward arrow and black downward arrow). An oncoming car approaches in the narrow section. Who must give way?
You approach an intersection with triangular shark teeth (haaientanden) painted across your lane. A moped rider approaches on the crossing carriageway from your left. Must you give way to the moped rider?
You are turning left into a side road. A pedestrian is walking straight ahead on the sidewalk on your left side in the opposite direction. Must you give way to this pedestrian?